Jasmine is a little girl who adores animals. She already has a rescue deer and pig that she diligently takes care of, so, her parents have told her no more! But when she meets Mistletoe, the donkey, everything changes. Mistletoe's elderly owner, Mr. Hobson, can no longer take care of his farm, or his beloved donkey. He is moving, and will be getting rid of everything including Mistletoe—he trying to adjust to the fact he won't get to see his pal anymore.
Can Jasmine find a way to keep Mistletoe so the donkey will be close to Mr. Hobson? When the costumed donkey doesn't work out, will Jasmine get in trouble if she substitutes Mistletoe in the Nativity play? Can the donkey be brought into the assisted living home to visit his former owner?
This chapter book has a sweet story about a child with a big heart. Set at Christmastime, there is a lot of excitement in the story. The fate of Mistletoe seems to have been settled at the beginning of the book. However, the tale has many suspenseful, fun twists and turns before the donkey gets his final home.
Children will laugh at the hijinks of Jasmine's trouble-making brother, while understand the difficulty of getting parents to change their minds. I loved the fun legend about the cross on the donkey's back.
I highly recommend this five-plus star book, in fact, I recommend the entire series, to children seven through ten years old. Each book contains a story about an endearing animal, and Jasmine's part in their lives. You and your child will love them all!
Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, A Donkey Called Mistletoe, for the purpose of review.
